UK Bodies join forces against counterfeiting

UK-based trade association BEAMA has joined forces with the Electrical Distributors' Association (EDA), Electrical Contractors' Association (ECA) and Scottish trade association for the electrical, electronics and communications systems industry, SELECT, to create a Charter aimed at combating the trade in counterfeit goods and the number of products failing to comply with appropriate standards.

By Administrator

Sat 19 Apr 2008 04:00 AM

UK-based trade association BEAMA has joined forces with the Electrical Distributors' Association (EDA), Electrical Contractors' Association (ECA) and Scottish trade association for the electrical, electronics and communications systems industry, SELECT, to create a Charter aimed at combating the trade in counterfeit goods and the number of products failing to comply with appropriate standards.

The presidents of all four Associations have signed the Charter, which commits their members to refuse to use counterfeit or non-compliant products. The aim is to drive dangerous and sub-standard products from the UK market.

The electrical industry sees the Charter as a major move forwards in combating counterfeiters. It is a unified front encompassing the Associations working together on practical and effective solutions to stem the threat from counterfeit and non-compliant products.

BEAMA CEO Dave Dossett commented: "Counterfeiting isn't restricted to producing forged cup final tickets and bank notes - it affects all sectors. The electrical products business is not immune.

All those in the supply chain must beware: if you're offered products at ‘too good to be true prices' they're likely to be inferior quality fakes or products that don't comply with the relevant standards.

"The Charter confirms the electrical products industry's will to encourage the development within the marketplace of concrete actions between members of all signatories - surveillance and intelligence-led anti-counterfeiting networks, for example.

We're sure other Associations will also sign the Charter, and that eventually such a commitment could form part of contract conditions between companies," added Dossett.

The issue of counterfeiting has received a publicity boost through the launch of a new micro-site from electrical industry portal Voltimum. www.counterfeit-kills.com highlights the seriousness of inferior quality, counterfeit electrical products entering the UK and Europe. The site also includes a copy of the Charter signed by the industry Associations.